Feedback Requested to Help Shape Winthrop's Strategic Plan

Quick Facts

Winthrop is in the process of gathering input, via a short online survey, for its strategic plan, including the planning process itself. The development of a strategic plan was a key priority established by President Dan Mahony when he assumed the presidency on July 1. The survey seeks input from a variety of Winthrop internal and external stakeholders.

President Dan Mahony

David Wohl

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University is in the process of gathering input, via a short online survey, for its strategic plan, including the planning process itself. The development of a strategic plan was a key priority established by President Dan Mahony when he assumed the presidency on July 1.

“The strategic plan will focus the institution’s vision and become a blueprint for moving Winthrop forward,” said Mahony. “The process for arriving at the strategic plan is important, and any and all feedback is valued. I have pledged that the process will be inclusive, transparent and participatory so that we all have a shared hand in shaping the university’s top priorities.

This fall, Mahony tasked a strategic planning process working group, consisting of 14 members of the Winthrop community – faculty, staff, administrators and students representing a wide range of departments and offices – with identifying the top five to 10 ideas to develop an engaging planning process for the Winthrop community.

David Wohl, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is leading the working group. “We have been charged with developing a strategic planning process and identifying a list of key institutional goals that the university community, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, could review, prioritize and finalize,” said Wohl. “We’re discussing what kind of directions we should be focusing our efforts in order to advance Winthrop’s mission and vision,” Wohl added.

Part of the group’s initial work has resulted in the development of a short survey that will help the group better understand participants’ perspectives regarding Winthrop’s strengths and challenges. According to Wohl, the survey seeks input from a variety of Winthrop stakeholders – alumni, faculty and staff, community members, employers of Winthrop students, K-12 educators, business leaders, etc.

“We welcome diverse opinions and innovative ideas,” said Wohl, who encouraged those interested to take the brief survey. “We are looking for as many recommendations and as much feedback as possible.”

Wohl added that the working group will also look at developing metrics for evaluating success in achieving the strategic planning goals once those are identified and developed.

Finally, a strategic planning website will be developed so that individuals can track the progress of the plan and submit additional ideas and provide feedback.